MP calls for caution over plans for wind farm near Lichfield

Appeals by residents for a change in the law on the building of wind farms have been taken up by Lichfield MP Michael Fabricant.

Plans have been drawn up for turbines to be built at Bagots Farm near Abbots Bromley.

But local residents have joined a number of other groups to campaign for a so-called exclusion zone around sites earmarked for wind farms.

They are suggesting that the law be changed to allow anyone living within two-kilometre of a proposed wind farm to have the power to veto any planning application.

Michael Fabricant MP

Mr Fabricant said:

“While wind farms can provide a valuable source of natural energy, there are costs to to the environment both in terms of the materials used to manufacture the windmills and cabling and the immediate effect on the local environment in terms of visual impact and noise.

“As with all policy matters, there needs to be a careful analysis of the pros and cons of any wind farm project. I shall await the Government’s response to the exclusion zone suggestion with interest.”

As well as writing to the Department for Energy and Climate Change, Mr Fabricant has also written to people living near the Abbots Bromley site.

In the letter, he expressed his view that caution should be given to such developments. He wrote:

“Personally, I am always very cautious about the siting of wind farms and believe they are unacceptable if the overall environmental impact will be negative.”

5 Comments

Being the President of the Lichfield District Nimby Association i feel that i am rather qualified to explain how we measure ‘overall environmental impact’.

We use what is known as the ‘Nimby Scale’. The LDNA developed this Nimby Scale as it became apparent that the ‘Nimby Stick’ is not suitable for deciding scientific results – it is more useful for illustrating a development is to Large – In Lichfield we base the Nimby Yard upon the height of the cathedrals tallest spire.

The Nimby scale is flexible and adaptable to any given planned development and with a few tweaks the results that we want are easily obtained.

Without the ‘Nimby Scale’ – currently Environmental impact is left at them whimsy of often ill informed opinion.

Regards
Jonny
LDNA

anne dritchley

29th September, 2010 at 9:30 am

Wind turbines are nothing compared to the hazard & ugliness that a Nuclear power station would be, & that is what Micheal Frabricant seems to want for our energy needs. To oppose natural & safe ways of energy production is narrow minded & shortsighted. His proposal for a nimby veto on wind farms would just make our planning laws useless. Surely the reason we have local elected Councellors is to do what is best for the local community.